Bringing your own items for the grill provides the personal experience of a backyard cookout but with a more social, community feel.

“Our mission has always been to be a neighborhood dive,” says Jennings. “I guess we are a bit on the scruffy side, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We want people to feel welcome and at home.”

Trailhead has a newly renovated patio, complete with a tin-roof covered porch.

Trailhead has a newly renovated patio, complete with a tin-roof covered porch.

Heather Robinson/Shopper News

On Sundays, Trailhead provides the beer, a propane grill, and a variety of condiments on its newly renovated patio and tin-roof covered porch. Hungry customers provide hot dogs, burgers and sometimes even very innovative grill groceries.

“It’s actually quite funny what people have cooked on the grill,” admits Jennings. “People have grilled pizzas, pineapple, oysters and lately there has been a lot of catfish during Predators games!”

Thursday through Saturday, Trailhead invites various food trucks to provide food between 6 and 9 p.m. Recent food trucks include Burrito, which offers larger-than-usual 14-inch burritos created with local and organic ingredients, and Gypsy Kitchen, which specializes in classically simple cuisine including items like a pork loin sandwich and southern buttermilk pie.

Trailhead customer Daniel McBride enjoys a hot dog on the patio while playing Uno.

Trailhead customer Daniel McBride enjoys a hot dog on the patio while playing Uno.

Heather Robinson/Shopper News

Food trucks are not onsite on Sundays and Trailhead does not have kitchen facilities, since its primary mission is to be a beer market. The need for an onsite dining option was apparent.

“Necessity is the mother of invention!” says Jennings.

As a result, Sundays became a designated “grill and chill” day and is proving to be popular with the beer crowd. Visitors can pass the time while their meat cooks with a round of oversized Jenga or with one of the other provided games like Scrabble, chess or Uno.

Of course, any fun time has to have a few rules, and Jennings has created two very important guidelines for those hoping to use the grill.

The first rule was created to support local small businesses and asks that the grill is used only when a food truck is not present. Food truck owners depend on patronage from those at the beer market, and Jennings wants to make sure that the grill does not take away from their service.

The second rule, however, is vital for those who work at the bar.

A Trailhead beer is even more enjoyable with a grilled hot dog and a game of Uno.

A Trailhead beer is even more enjoyable with a grilled hot dog and a game of Uno.

Heather Robinson/Shopper News

“Always make a portion for the bartender!” laughs Jennings.

Trailhead Beer Market is on the banks of the Tennessee River in South Knoxville, close to both Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness Trails. It is open Monday-Thursday 3-11 p.m., Friday 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday 1 p.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday 1-8 p.m.